Taylor Swift recently posted on Instagram to her 283 million followers. The caption read: “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.” The self-described “Childless Cat Lady” was announcing her support for Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election. But will such an endorsement truly influence the forthcoming election?
Public figures have become increasingly outspoken about their political views in recent years. Rapper and entrepreneur Kanye West made headlines for his controversial stances and staunch support of Donald Trump. Oprah Winfrey’s 2008 endorsement of Barack Obama boosted his count by an estimated 1 million votes.
In terms of cultural reach, especially with younger voters, Swift is more influential than Oprah. However, Oprah’s political influence was already apparent in 2008. While Swift’s fame is undeniable, her political sway is less established.
Another factor inhibiting her potential influence on this particular election is the political demographic of her fans. 55 percent of Swifties in the US are Democrats compared to only 23 percent Republicans and 23% Independents. Her message is predominantly communicated to people who are already supporters of Harris’ platform and policies. From this perspective, it seems that Swift is preaching to the choir rather than converting undecided voters.
Swift’s impact, however, will materialize differently. While she isn’t hosting any campaign events, as Oprah did in 2008, her initiatives focus on improving voter turnout. Swift’s reach has the potential to awaken voters who are less politically active.
We often hear about young people’s apathy toward politics. In the 2016 presidential election, 18- to 29-year-olds reported the lowest turnout (46.1 percent) than any other age group by 12.6%. A FiveThirtyEight survey found that 62 percent of adults under 35 identify as Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party.
These stats are descriptive of many Swifties, demonstrating that the boost to Harris’ campaign will come through increased voter activity of Swift’s fanbase.
Thatcher Rathfon, president of the PLD Young Republicans Club, admitted that “Swift’s endorsement will likely improve voter turnout amongst her fans.” While he acknowledged that Swift’s support may boost Harris’ odds of winning, he notes that such increases would be marginal.
We have already seen some evidence of Swift’s support in action. Alongside her post, Swift posted an Instagram story containing a link to Vote.org, the official government website aimed at increasing voter registration. They recorded 406,000 website visits via Swift’s story.
However, we have seen a decline in the significance of these endorsements. While celebrities are becoming more vocal politically, everyday citizens are already well-informed through social media platforms like X and TikTok. These sites allow the exchange of ideas between ordinary people more easily than ever, undermining the traditional influence of celebrities.
While some may be more inclined to vote for a candidate due to celebrity endorsements, others believe that this support comes from individuals disconnected from the day-to-day struggles of the average citizen. This further exemplifies that celebrity endorsements don’t hold the same weight they once did.
Recently another pop star, Chappell Roan, disclosed that she wouldn’t be endorsing either candidate and this sparked fierce backlash from fans. They criticized Roan for her “privileged” opinion, claiming that her newfound fame was the source of her beliefs.
“Celebrities don’t have the same values as most Americans,” junior Owen Rowe said. “Their views come from a completely different perspective, so their opinions shouldn’t mean much to us.”
Though Swift’s endorsement is unlikely to dramatically impact the election, her celebrity reach could encourage new, younger voters who lean Democrat. For Harris, this certainly can’t hurt.
In the 21st century, we have seen a drastic shift in federal elections. Cultural influence and the media are playing larger roles in the lead-up to Election Day than ever before. Young people have always admired celebrities, but now, voters are looking to public figures for political guidance.
As our seniors head to the polls, it is important to not be swayed by the media and make informed decisions. Celebrity influence does not always translate into informed decision-making, so critically analyzing information from a variety of sources is necessary before you make your selection in November.
To find your nearest polling place, visit the Kentucky Voter Information Center.
